Railway car truck



March 23, 1943. E. E. ADAMS ET AL RAILWAY GAR TRUCK Filed J1'11y.l3, 1940 5 Sheebs-Sheet 1 .E'venefi Zugfne Gdmzs layer JTTY March 23, 1943.

E. E ADAMS ETAL RAILWAY CAR TRUCK Filed July 13, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March E. E. ADAMS ETAL 2,314,544

RAILWAY CAR TRUCK Filed July '15, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet s Z\ w] JNVNTORS. I new em 10 BY Pfjager am; y

MarcFa 23, 194-3. E ADAMS ETAL 2,314,644

RAILWAY CAR TRUCK Filed July 15, 1940 L 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 BY' HWY.

Patented Mar. 23, 1943:

UNITED STATES, PATENT ,OFFICE r nmwarcaa'rnucx Y Everett Eugene Adams, (linkage, Ill, and Harry lLlflagenStIa-B, Application July 13, lMLSerlnlNmflSl-SB ucmm. (cues-2am) This invention relates to railway rolling stock,

and more particularly to trucks for use in passenger car construction. Due to light weight cars and increased speed of passenger trains, it has become necessary to obtain better control of the motionof the truck frames in relation to I the wheelsand 'axles than has prevailed heretofore, and alsoto' avoid the noise and chatter which has been communicated from the wheels and axles 'tothe'car body by the application of high brake pressure. i

To attainthis general object, it is proposed to 'construct a .t'ruck with a journal box that will float in the truck frame without frictional con-' tact betweenthe jo'urnal boxes and the pedestals of the truck.- g a In order to design a" truck with this floating joumal box; it ls' necessary to have means for controlling the movement of thejournal box up and down in the pedestal, to. have means for restraining late'ralmotion of the 'joumal box and means for restraining the longitudinal motion of the journal box. These means, preferably, consist of flexible rubber connections'between the truck frame and the journal boxes, as shown and described in the following specifications.

It is to be noted it is the intention to carry the load of the truck frame in the usual manner on springs resting on equalizers which rest on the journal boxes or by springs immediately over the journal boxes and to arrange'the rubber to provide a flexible means which will allow the usual amountof vertical movement of the journal box with a small amount of resistance from the rubber and at the same time having the rubbe arranged so as to provide a greater amount of resistance to lateral and longitudinal movements of the box relative to the frame.

Such construction will remove metallic contacts between the journal boxes and the truck frame, eliminating the usual wear between such parts, eliminating noise, and giving an increasing resistance to lateral motion, eliminating the pound on the truck frame and the noise therefrom which occurs,in the usual construction when rounding curves or taking switches. It further reduces the noise due to the application of the brake, due to the fact that there is a rubber or cushion contact between the journal boxes and the truck frame and will likewise reduce the chatter that occurs dueto the application of the brakes and also the tipping of the truck frame as in the ordinary type construction.

The flexible means referred to above consists or rubber elements bonded to the plateamadein the form showninthe drawings,

oneofwhichplatesisattachedtothepedestal and the other forming partof the yoke around theiournalboxorthelatterplatemaybedirectlyattachedtotheyokeorattachedtothe journalboxandnotformapartoi'theyoke.

.Other detail cuts of the flexible means insteadofthesemaybemadaifdesireicertain ofwhicharehereinaftermorei'ullydescribed.

InIeferrIn'gtorubDeI-"thID EhOutthisED- plication is meant av resilient substance which maybe eitherofnaturalrubber or a substitute suchas the artiflcialrubbernowonthemarket or other such material.

These and other detail objects of the invention as will appear from the following descripti n are attainedby the'structure illustrated in the drawings. in which- Figurelisatopviewotsubstantiallyone quarter of a railway 4-wheel truck the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of that portion of Figure 8 shows the detail constructon of a flexible unit between one side of a journal box and a pedestal jaw before being with the flexible unit on the other side of the box and other parts and illustrating particularly one form of the flexible rubber between the two plates which also. constitute portions of the unit. Figure 9 is a top view ofthe flexible unit shown in Figure 8. I

figure 10 shows a section of the flexible unit taken on line ll-Il of Figure 8.

Figures "11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 illustrate other forms of the flexible rubber between the platesofaflexibleunitbutonanenlargedscale.

Figure 18 is an elevational view of a flexible unit illustrating another form of the rubber connection between the plates or the unit and including the angle members for fastening the unit to a pedestal jaw.

. Figure 19 is a section taken on the line l9-l3 of Figure 18.

Figures 20, 21, 22, and 23 illustrate other forms of the rubber parts and the metal parts between the outer plates of a flexible unit similar to that 'shown in Figure 18 but on an enlarged scale.

Figure 24 is an elevational view of another form of flexible unit similar to that shown in Figure 18.

Figure 25 is a section taken on'line 25-25 of Figure 24.

Figures 26 and 27 illustrate other forms of the rubber parts and the metal parts between the outer plates of a flexible unit similar to that shown in Figure 24 but on an enlarged scale.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to '7, inclusive, the wheel I, axle 2, journal box 3, equalizer 4, spring seat 5, spring 6 thereon, are all of well known construction and arrangement. The truck frame is of generally rectangular contour and includes wheel pieces 1, end transoms 8, center transoms 9, and pedestals each comprised of jaws l and II. The truck bolster I2 is of the lateral motion type and is supported by the usual swing hangers I3, cross bar I4, spring plankl5, and bolstersprings [6, shown at I1.

Fitting over the journal box 3 and positioned between the pedestal jaws l0 and H and secured to the latter, is a yoke-like member l8 comprising a pair of' flexible vertical units l9 and a horizontal member 20, the flexible vertical units being welded to the horizontal member at W. Each flexible vertical unit I9, shown in detail in Figures 8, 9, and 10, comprises plates 2| and 22 with a flexible rubber member 23 between them and bonded thereto by vulcanizing. The rubber member 23 has a series of horizontal perforations 24 extending through the member as clearly illustrated in Figures 5 and 10. v

A pair of angle members 25, as clearly illustrated in Figure 6, are welded to the plates 22 of each unit 19 at W to provide pedestal engaging members for rigidly securing the flexible units l9 to the pedestal jaws l0 and II. In the present through the angle members 25 and through the pedestal jaw II! with the nuts 21 on each end for rigidly securing one of the units H] to the pedestal jaw. The nuts 21 are provided with a cone-shaped portion 28 fitting into countersunk holes in the angles 25, thus providing a wedgelike means for securing and locking one of the r flexible units H] to the pedestal jaw l0. Instead of having a single bolt 26 for securing the other flexible unit I!) to the pedestal jaw II, the bolts 29 are provided for each angle member 25 so as to'provide clearance for the equalizer 4. The same style nut 21 as used for bolt 26 is used for bolts 29 for securing and locking the unit 19 to the pedestal jaw H. It will be understood, however, that other means may be provided for securing and locking the flexible units I9 to the pedestal jaws, such as by welding, riveting, or otherwise securing the angles 25 to the pedestal jaws.

The top member 20 of the yoke l8 rests on top of the journal box, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3, with a metal shim 30 between the box and the member 20 to provide for height adjustment as may be necessary, there being downwardly projecting flanges or ribs 3| on member 20 and upwardly projecting flanges 32 on the the bolster center plate being journal box 3 to retain the shim 30 in place. The ends of the equalizer 4 rest on the members 20 and a seat 33 is provided between the equalizer and the journal box. This seat may be used as a means for adjusting the height of the equalizer as may be necessary. Upwardly extending ribs or flanges 34 and 35 form means for retaining the seats 33 in position. As shown in Figure '1, the endsof the top member 20 have spaced apart end portions 36 which straddle the pedestal jaws, there being suflicient clearance between the pedestal jaws and the end portions 36 to provide for a normal amount of lateral movement of the journal box and pedestal. The top member 20 with the end portions 36 for straddling the pedestals constitutes a safety means to keep the box and pedestals in assembled relation in the event of any failure of the rubber elements, it being understood, however, that member 20 may be omitted if it is found unnecessary in regular practice.

The lower end portions of the plates 2| of the flexible units l9 have spaced apart ears 31 for the bolts 38 and sleeve 39 to provide-means for tying the lower ends of the yoke l8 together so as to maintain a tight fit for the yoke [8 against the sides of the journal box and to eliminate play between the box and yoke. nut 4| are provided to clamp the parts together. A filler block 42 of well known construction is provided between the inner and outer walls of the pedestal jaw II to permit assembly =and disarrangement, bolts 26 are inserted assembly of the equalizer 4, and a tie member 43 is secured to the lower ends of the pedestal jaws H1 and l l by means of bolts 44 and nuts 45 in the usual manner.

With this journal box and pedestal arrangement the load of the truck frame is carried to the journal boxes in the usual manner on springs resting on the equalizers, which in turn rest on the journal boxes. The journal box, however, will have a controlled movement in the pedestal without frictional contact between the journal box and the pedestal and without the transmis-' sion of noise and chatter from the journal boxes to the frame when the brakes are applied or when the box moves vertically or laterally due to other operating or track conditions. rangement also avoids the possibility of wear between the journal box and the pedestal as in the usual construction wherethere is frictional sliding contact between the journal box and pedestal,

thus making it unnecessary to renew any of the journal box or pedestal parts, and also increasing the life of the structure which depends mainly upon the grade and quality of the rubber, and further there is no necessity for lubricating the device'to reduce wear between the journal box and pedestal.

Each of the rubber blocks 23 of the flexible vertical units I9 constitutes, in efiect, a series of blocks spaced from each other-and in vertical alignment and having a length extending longitudinally of the truck greater than the thickness of the block and secured rigidly to the box and pedestal, and as thus constructed form a flexible means which permits vertical movement of the box in the pedestal with a small amount of resistance and which also permits a cushioned and limited amount of lateral motion of the box in the pedestal under a greater resistance. It also permits under a greater resistance a cushioning of the longitudinal forces between the box and the pedestal, the rubber in one uniton one side of the box being in tension and the other in compres- A washer 40 and This ary agree-14 slon during the application of longitudinal forces.

In assembling the structure, flller block 42 must first be removed from the pedestal l I and equalizers 4 then inserted in the pedestal. The filler block 42 is then bolted or riveted to the pedestal as indicated. The yoke assembly I8 is then bolted to the pedestals l8 and I I, after which the wheels, axles, and boxes can be inserted in place with. the necessary shim under the journal box and top member 28 of the yoke. The tie members 38 and 38 are then clamped in place between the lower end portions of the plates 2| and the pedestal tie bar 43 is also bolted in place. When it is desired to remove an axle with its wheels and journal boxes, it will only be necessary to remove the bolts 38, sleeve 39, and tie bars 43.

plates 68 between them, which plates have enlarged curved ends 69 to which the rubber is Figures 11 to 17, inclusive, show different styles of rubber blocks between the plates 2| and 22 of plates 2| and 22, respectively, in Figure 8. Theopenings 48 between the rubber elements 41 correspond to the openings 24 in the block 23, Figure 8 except that they extend the full distance between the plates. This would tend to give slightly more vertical flexibility if the thickness of the elements 4'! were of the same length, width, and thickness as those in the block 23.

Figure 12 shows a style of rubber member 48 similar to those shown in Figure 11, except there is no flllet between the rubber and the plates where the elements are bonded to the plates.

Figure 13 shows a rubber block 49 with openings 58 of dumbbell shape. Thisconstruction is somewhat similar to the construction shown in Figure 8, except that the central bulged portions l of the rubber tend to provide greater resistance for the longitudinal forces between the box and pedestal and the thin portions of the rubber between the enlarged portions of the openings tend to offer less vertical resistance.

Figure 14 is similar to Figure 13, except the "the box in the pedestal.

Figure 15 shows another style of rubber block 52 with openings 53 in longitudinal alignment and with the rubber solid at the middle portion 54. This arrangement will offer slight resistance to vertical movement of the box in the pedestal, and since it reduces the lengths of the portions 55 of the rubber, it tends to oil'er a greater resistance against longitudinal movement Flgu're 16 shows another form of rubber block 86 with openings 51 and is somewhat similar to the rubber block shown in Figure 15 but with thickened portions 58 tending to, resist the iongitudinal forces to a greater extent.

Figure 17 shows still another style of rubber block 58 with openings vGil and 8|. Since these openings 80 and 8| alternate in vertical alignment, first in extending to one plate and then- I to the other, as shown, there is provided a structure similar to that shown in Figures 11 and 12 with approximately the same flexibility but which provides for portions 62 and 83 which have a larger surface for bonding the rubber to the plates to make a stronger connection and to simplify the construction.

Figures 18 and 19 show modified forms of a flexible vertical unit comprising plates 84 and 68 corresponding to plates 2i and 22, respectively, of Figure 8 but with flexible rubber elements 68 and 01 bonded to plates 84 and 83 and to metal bonded. The enlarged curved ends form a comparatively large area for this purpose and use a thin central portion 10 with openings H to lighten the structure. Any relative vertical movement of the plates 64 and 65 due to vertical movement of the journal box in the pedestal will be slightly resisted by the distortion of the rubber where it is bonded to the portions 69 of the'metal plates 68. The metal plates WillOfi'Gl.

' greater resistance to relative vertical movement of the plates but will offer greater resistance to both lateral and longitudinal forces.

Figure 21 showsa form in which the plate 18 has curved ends I1 which provide surfaces for the bond between the rubber- 18 and the plate 16, which construction will ofier substantially the same resistance as the construction shown in Figures 18. and 19 but the plates 16 are less expensive to manufacture.

Figure 22 shows a form similar to Figure 21, except the plate 13 has the ends 88 curved in opposite directions so that the central portion will be more nearly symmetrical with the center line of the cross sectional area, thereby eliminating the offset in the line of force extending between the end portions of the plates.

Figure 23 shows a form in which the plate 8! constitutes a straight member without enlarged ends to which the rubber is bonded. This provides a structure which would have the least resistance to vertical movement and which would be the least expensive to manufacture.

Figures 24, 25, 26 and 27 Show other modified forms of a flexible vertical unit. In these forms there are provided individual rubber blocks between the ends of the horizontal vertically aligned plates and the vertical plates. These arrangements also provide for slight vertical resistance to relative vertical movement of the journal box in the pedestal, but a greater amount of resistance to lateral and longitudinal forces. As in the previously described forms, the rubber elements are bonded to the metal elements.

Figures 24 and 25 show upright plates 82 and 83 corresponding respectively to plates 2| and 22 of Figure 8. The horizontal plates 84 are of substantially I-s'ection and the rubber elements 85 are bonded to the horizontal and vertical plates as indicated. Since the rubber elements 85 constitute individual elements between the horizontal plates 84 and vertical plates 82 and 83, every portion of the rubber is used to its greatest advantage, thus reducing to a minimum the amount of rubber used in each unit. With this arrangement it would be possible to first vulcanize the rubber elements 85 to the ends of elements 87 and the plates 88 and 89 are likewise slotted as indicated. This provides a better arrangement for securing the rubber blocks to the metal plates and can be 'readily locked in place and bonded to the metal members.

Figure 27 shows a structure similar to that shown in Figure 24 and 25, except that a pair of .spaced rubber elements 90 is provided between the ends of the horizontal plates 9| and the vertical plates 92 and 93. During relative vertical movement of the journal box and pedestal, one of the rubber elements of a pair will be compressed and the other will be in tension, thus further adapting the rubber to its particular use so as not to have an excessive amount of rubber as may be the case in some of the other forms where portions of the rubber are not subjected to the forces acting between the journal box and the pedestal.

In each of the forms of the invention, the flexible vertical unit are formed as part of a yoke extending over the journal box and are so constructed as to be assembled separately, thus facilitating vulcanizing or bonding the rubber to the metal plates. If desired, however, the vertical plates of each unit may be formed as a part of the top plate before vulcanizing the rubber blocks to the yoke and to the outer vertical plates.

It is to be understood that it is within the spirit of the invention to apply the vertical units to the boxes by bolting or otherwise securin them to the boxes independently of the horizontal top member which has the forked ends for straddling the pedestal jaws, or if desired,

the rubber may be directly attached to the pedestal jaw independently of the horizontal top member with slotted openings or other means on the plate or pedestal for adjusting the height of the flexible unit relative to the pedestal at normal loaded height of the truck frame, or if desired, the rubber may be bonded directly to the pedestal and to a plate to be attached to the journal box with elements on the plate and journal box for height adjustment.

Other details of the construction may be varied without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, and the exclusive use of those modifications as come within the scope of the claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a truck, an axle journal box, a pedestal, and a device betweensaid box and said pedestal providing a resilient connection between said box and said pedestal and providing relative movements of said box and said pedestal, said device comprising a vertical plate adapted to be secured to said box and another vertical plate adapted to be secured to said pedestal, and a series of vertically spaced members between said plates including horizontally disposed metallic elements and rubber elements between said horizontal elements and said plates, said rubber elements being bonded to said metallic elements and to said plates.

and a device between said box and said pedestal, said device providing a resilient connection between said box and said pedestal and providing relative movements of said box and said pedestal, said device comprising a vertical plate adapted to be secured to said box and another vertical plate adapted to be secured to said pedestal, a rubber element bonded to each of said posed metallic elements between said rubber elements, said rubber elements also being bonded to the end portions of said metallic elements.

3. In a truck, a pedestal having longitudinally spaced jaws, an axle journal box positioned between said jaws, and a device comprising a yoke-like member fitting over said box and including a top horizontal member resting on said box and a pair of spaced flexible vertical units, each unit being positioned between a side of said box and the adjacent pedestal jaw and connected to said box and the corresponding pedestal jaw and each including a vertical plate adjacent to said box and a vertical plate adjacent to the corresponding pedestal jaw, rubber means be-- tween said plates to provide a resilient connection between said box and the corresponding pedestal jaw to provide for movement of said box relative to said pedestal, and means which provides for lowering of said box and the axle and wheels therefor without disassembly of the yoke-like member in said pedestal and which includes means between the lower portions of said units to fasten the yoke in position on said box when in assembled relation with said yoke.

4. A new article of manufacture comprising a flexible unit adapted to be positioned between the side of a truck journal box and a truck frame part and to provide a resilient connection between said box and said part for relative vertical and lateral movements of said box and said part with less resistance to relative vertical movement than to relative lateral movement and for cushioning and resisting longitudinal movement between said box and said part, said unit including spaced vertical plates with rubber means between them bonded to said plates and comprising a series of vertically spaced elements bonded to said plates, one of said plates being adapted to be secured to said box and the other plate being adapted to be secured to said part.

5. A new article of manufacture comprising a flexible unit adapted to be positioned between the side of a truck journal box and a truck frame part and to provide a resilient connection between said box and said part for relative vertical and lateral movements of said box and said 85 2. In a truck, an axle journal box, a pedestal,

plates, and vertically spaced horizontally dispart with less resistance to relative vertical movement than to relative lateral movement and for cushioning and resisting longitudinal movement between said box and said part, said unit including spaced vertical plates with rubber means between them bonded to said plates, and including vertically spaced metallic elements positioned between said plates and said rubber means, said rubber means being bonded to the ends of said spaced metallic elements and to said vertical plates, one of said plates being adapted to be secured to said box and the other plate being adapted to be secured to said part.

6. In a truck, an axle journal box, a truck frame having a pedestal, and a device interposed between the journal box and pedestal and arranged so that there is no vertical load transmitted through it from the pedestal to the box when saidpedestal is in normal position relative to said box, said device providing a resilient connection between said box and pedestal and dampening the vertical movement of said box and pedestal and comprising a single unit including a series of rubber elements having vertically spaced portions and side plates having margins extending beyond the rubber elements and secured in fixed relation to the journal box and pedestal respectively.

7. In a truck, an axle journal box, a truck frame having a pedestal, and a device interposed between the journal box and pedestal and arranged so that there is no vertical load trans- .mitted through it from the pedestal to the box tically spaced portions containing rubber and including side plates having margins extending beyond the resilient elements and secured in fixed relation to the journal box and pedestal respectively.

8. In a truck, an axle journal box, a truck frame having a pedestal, and a device interposed between said box and pedestal and arranged so that there is no vertical load transmitted through it from the pedestal to the box when said pedestal is in normal position relative to said box, said device providing a resilient connection between said box and pedestal and dampening the vertical movement of said box and pedestal and comprising a vertical plate having a margin fixedly'secured to said box and another vertical plate having a margin fixedly secured to said pedestal, and a series of vertically spaced rubber elements between said plates clear of said margins thereof and bonded to the plates to form a single unit.

9. In a truck, a pedestal having longitudinally spaced jaws, an axle'journal .box positioned beincluding a rubber element providing for movement of said box relative to said pedestal, said element having horizontal perforations extending therethrough in directions transverse of the truck to reduce the resistance of the element to vertical load.

10. In a truck, a pedestal having longitudinally spaced jaws, an axle journal box positioned between said jaws, and a device comprising a yoke-like member fitting over said box and including a top horizontal member resting on said box and a pair of spaced flexible ver- ,tical units, each unit being positioned between a side of said box and the adjacent pedestal jaw and arranged so that there is no vertical load transmitted through said units from the pedestal to the box when said pedestal is, in normal position relative to said box, said units each being connected to said box and the corresponding pedestal jaw and each including a vertical plate adjacent to said box and a ver tical plate adjacent to the corresponding pedestal jaw, and rubber means between said plates to provide a resilient connection between said box and the corresponding pedestal jaw to provide for movement of said box relative to said pedestal, said means being perforated horizontally in a direction transverse of the truck to reduce the resistance of the means to vertical load.

11. A new article of manufacture comprising a flexible unit adapted to be positioned between the side of a truck journal box and a truck pedestal and comprising spaced vertical plates with flexible means between them at vertically spaced intervals including rubber bonded to said plates whereby said unit is rendered of a unitary character, one of said plates having a margin extending beyond the flexible means and being adapted to be secured to said box and the other plate having a margin extending beyond the flexible means and being adapted to be secured to said pedestal. EVERETT EUGENE ADAMS.

H. M. PFLAGER. 

